Knee decisions — 2023

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for her right knee condition and TDIU based on her right knee disability. The evidence did not show ankylosis, limitations of extension or impairments to the tibia/fibula. The Veteran was found to have intermediate degrees of residual weakness, pain, or limitation of motion.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral osteoarthritis of the knees, finding that the evidence is approximately evenly balanced as to whether this condition began during active service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The right knee extension disability, left knee disability, and right knee flexion disability are all denied increased ratings. A separate 10 percent rating for right knee instability is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted. The claim for an initial compensable rating for the right knee scar is denied. The claims for service connection for a left eye condition, heart condition, GERD, gastrointestinal condition, right shoulder disability, and lumbar spine disability are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate opinions regarding the Veteran's knee disabilities and PFB.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PFB, TMJ, and bilateral eye disorder (photophobia sensitivity to light) has been granted. The claims for right knee, left knee, erectile dysfunction, right foot, left foot, right toe, and left toe disorders are remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issues of an increased rating for left knee disability and entitlement to a TDIU.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of August 30, 2016 for the service connection of left knee degenerative arthritis, right knee degenerative arthritis, and major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for lumbar strain is granted, with a final effective date of July 1, 2018.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various hand, hip, and knee disabilities due to incomplete or inadequate medical opinions provided by the RO. The Veteran's representative asserts that his hip disabilities may be secondary to his knee disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection for tinnitus is granted.,For the period prior to April 8, 2017, a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar DDD L5-S1 is denied. From April 8, 2017, a 40 percent rating is granted and a separate 20 percent rating is granted for each lower extremity radiculopathy.,The Veteran's right knee chondromalacia patella and meniscus residuals are rated at the noncompensable level. The scars on his knees and feet are also rated as noncompensable.,Service connection for PTSD is granted with an initial 50 percent rating, but not higher.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings of 20 percent and 10 percent for right lower extremity neuropathy (sciatic) and right knee strain, respectively, have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal in October 2020.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and need for a new opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee disability, specifically whether it is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine, left knee, and/or left ankle disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2) and hypertension due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obesity is denied.,Service connection for a left knee disorder was granted with an effective date of November 6, 2017. The earlier effective date prior to November 6, 2017 is denied.

The Board has remanded the issues of whether new and material evidence was received to reopen claims for left knee disability, right knee disability, diabetes, lung disorder (claimed as COPD), tinnitus, and glaucoma. The Veteran must now request an SOC before these issues can be appealed further.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluation due to insufficient evidence in some cases, particularly regarding the etiology of his lumbar spine and right knee disabilities. The VA will obtain updated treatment records and provide additional opinions from medical professionals.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee condition, right ankle condition, and left ankle strain, finding that these conditions are related to his active military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The RO granted TDIU from March 29, 2018 to October 27, 2022.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for tinnitus as it was granted in a separate decision. The remaining claims of service connection for various disabilities are remanded due to the need for further medical examination and opinion.